Works starts on I-70, Ohio 79 interchange

Signs and orange barrels sprouted Monday morning as reconstruction of the I-70/Ohio 79 interchange started. Beacon photo by Charles Prince. BUCKEYE LAKE – ODOT District 5 recently released its schedule for lane restrictions this summer as it renovates the I-70 and Ohio 79 interchange.

Work began June 3 and the project will affect traffic on both I-70 and Ohio 79 with various restrictions and ramp closures throughout the project. ODOT published a tentative timeline to upcoming work for the next several weeks:

• I-70 eastbound Exit 129 A (exit for Ohio 79 southbound) will be closed for 14 days for resurfacing and widening of the exit ramp; motorists will be detoured on I-70 east to Exit 126 (Ohio 37), then south on Ohio 37 to Ohio 79, and reverse.

July

• Early July: Exit 129 B (exit for Ohio 79 northbound) will be closed for14 days for resurfacing and widening of the exit ramp.

• Late July: Ohio 79 north entrance ramp to I-70 westbound will experience a similar closure.

Each closure will not exceed 14 days and will not overlap.

August

• The loop ramps for I-70 eastbound Exit 129 A (for Ohio 79 south) and the westbound Exit 129 B (for Ohio 79 north) will be closed permanently by the end of August upon the completion of the upgrades to the Exit’s 129 A and B off ramps.